The Road to Forever
Chapter 14
"Argh!" Korra growled as she stomped into the kitchen that morning. She looked ready to throw fire in every direction.
"Not really a morning person are you?" Asami asked her, laughing lightly but keeping a safe distance from the younger girl all the same.
"It's not that. It's Mako! We ran into each other in the hall when I was on my way here and he couldn't even look me in the eye as he barely managed to stutter a hello. It's getting ridiculous!" Korra grumbled as she sat opposite the engineer and poured a cup of tea for herself.
"I know what you mean. He's acting the same way with me," Asami sipped her own cup of tea thoughtfully. "You'd think after all the weeks we've been traveling he would have gotten more comfortable with us".
"Exactly! I'm so tired of it Asami. I miss my friend. I mean, I know I'm probably supposed to miss him as my boyfriend but I really just miss my friend. Now I'm starting to worry that that is gone too." Korra sulked as she stared at her tea and Asami frowned at her friend. She hated to see Korra like this.
"I'm sure he'll get over it soon enough. C'mon, you should eat something for breakfast before we head out to practice Bolin and Bumi's 'razzle dazzle' show as they're calling it. I made some grilled fish and soup." Asami told her as she handed a plate and bowl over to Korra who looked stunned for a moment.
"Wow Asami, this looks great! I didn't know you could cook," Korra said as she took a bite and her eyes widened. "Correction, I didn't know you could cook so well! This tastes amazing!"
Asami laughed as Korra began to scarf down the food she had made as if she hadn't eaten in days. "I've always liked cooking. Just like putting together a Satomobile or a mechsuit, there's an order to things that you can follow while still being creative and in the end you can make something really incredible."
"You'll have to teach me some time. I'm pretty good and roasting a fish over a flame when the need calls for it but I was never any good at learning all of the recipes my mom tried to teach me." Korra grinned after taking another bite of her fish. "I was always too impatient…"
Asami placed a hand over her heart and gave a mock gasp, "You? Korra the Avatar...impatient? I can't imagine that would be true." Asami said, her voice serious but she was clearly trying not to laugh.
Both of the girls managed to last all of a few seconds before they both broke down laughing.
"What's so funny you two?" asked Tenzin as he walked into the kitchen to find both of the girls giggling relentlessly.
"Oh just talking about how Korra never learned to cook because she's so impatient" Asami smiled at the Airbending Master who raised an eyebrow at his student and grinned slightly.
"Yes, I can't imagine Korra has ever been anything but" he told them, ignoring the Avatar whow as now sticking her tongue out at him. "Well if you two are nearly finished, we're going to meet the others outside in a few minutes to practice this...show...that Bumi and Bolin came up with."
"Do you think it will work Tenzin?" Korra asked him as she put her dishes in the sink and followed him out with Asami behind her.
"I honestly don't know. But at this point, I'm willing to try just about anything Korra."
"I am the escaped convict and you will all...all...uhhhh" Mako stuttered, forgetting his line.
"Reap my fire! It's REAP MY FIRE! C'mon bro, you gotta get into your character here" Bolin told Mako who just stared dubiously at his younger brother.
"'My character?' You made me a criminal bro."
"Hey! We need draaaamma in the show. This will be great believe me. Look, you're an escaped convict who has lived a tragic life that caused you to turn to a life of crime and wrongdoing in order to survive. Then you fell in love with an Earth Kingdom princess and became determined to change your ways. But you were captured and imprisoned! Swearing to get back to your love before she could be forced to marry a handsome but evil prince, you busted out of prison and are now robbing from the rich and giving to the poor while building up an army to take on the evil prince and rescue the princess so that you can live happily ever after!" Bolin explained excitedly before realizing that everyone was staring at him dumbfounded.
"Uh...well...I mean that's what I imagined anyway…"
"That doesn't make any sense" Mako said.
"And there isn't an Earth Kingdom princess" Asami told him.
"Or prince" Korra agreed.
"I think it sounds soooo romantic Bolin!" Jinora exclaimed.
"Thank you Jinora! At least someone around here understands the need for a great story to liven up a show!"
"Yeah yeah. So what happens after I come out of the crowd and shoot a burst of flame?" Mako asked as he rolled his eyes.
"Then Korra, the mighty Avatar, comes out to save the day with her Airbending skill! She rushes forward and shoots a blast of air at you and knocks you down, winning the great battle and showing off the greatness of Airbending all at once!" Bolin was dancing with excitement.
"Great battle….riiiight" Mako muttered.
"Oh come on Mako. We're just putting on a show to get people interested in Airbending. No reason to be so glum about it" Korra growled at the Firebender.
"I'm..I'm not being glum! I just...uh...I mean…" Mako was blushing again and refused to meet Korra's eyes sparking her anger.
"Ok Bolin, is this what you want me to do?" Korra asked and then sent a blast of air at Mako knocking him on his backside.
"Yes! That's perfect! Just like that!" Bolin shouted as Mako groaned from where he lay on the ground.
"Uh...hey guys?" Asami called for the group's attention. "It's almost noon and there's a crowd forming in the town square. I can see if from here. Isn't that when you told them the show would start Bolin?"
Gasping, Bolin looked to where Asami was pointing and realized she was right. He reached into one of his pockets and quickly pulled out a fake moustache and hurriedly attached it to his face before starting to usher everyone to the square.
"Ok guys, you're going to be great! Remember, just like we practiced. And Mako...remember, ' .fire.' got it?"
"Sure bro, but just one question. What's with the fake moustache?"
"Every great performer knows to keep the tools of the trade on him at all times. Now go go, the show must go on!"
"Riiiiggghhhtt….." Mako muttered as he headed off.
Asami and Korra trailed the group and Asami kept glancing at Korra suspiciously.
"Korra, why do I get the feeling you're up to something?" Asami asked her.
"Hmm? Me? Nothing. I'm just looking forward to knocking Mako down again. Maybe he'll get some sense knocked into him finally" Korra grinned mischievously.
Asami didn't believe her friend for a second.
"I am the escaped convict and you will all reap my fire" Mako said dejectedly before shooting a small burst of fire into the air.
Bolin exclaimed, "Oh no! Who will help us?!"
"I will!" Shouted Korra, "With my Airbending skill!" Korra then created a whirlwind that pulled Mako high into the air before dropping him where he was then picked up by another whirlwind. Korra kept spinning him around in the air as Mako shouted his protests. She laughed and grinned back at Asami who laughed and realized this had been Korra's plan all along. Korra wasn't sure what she enjoyed more, Mako's shouts or Asami's laughter. Ok, it was definitely Asami's laughter.
After she had finally put him down and Bolin had gone on to talk about the bison and Bumi's skills, Asami had leaned over and whispered to Korra, "Nice going. Hopefully, he'll get over himself now".
Ignoring the shiver that the tickle of Asami's breath on her ear had caused, Korra grinned back at her friend. "If not, I can always do it again until it finally works. That was fun!"
"Hey..uh..Korra? Have you seen Asami anywhere?" asked Jinora as she knocked lightly on Korra' open bedroom door.
"Hmm? Oh, I think she's meeting with the captain. Everything ok?" Korra asked the younger girl who seemed oddly nervous.
"It's nothing. I just wanted to ask her something…" Jinora muttered as she turned to leave.
"Well hang on. Maybe I can help? C'mon, you can ask me anything kiddo" Korra smiled encouragingly and Jinora seemed to consider her a moment before seemingly coming to a decision.
"Ok...well..I was hoping to ask her...um..how-how do you know if you're in love?" Jinora asked quietly.
Korra stood there in a shock for a moment before smiling softly. "Is this about Kai?" she asked and Jinora's head shot up and she stared at Korra with shock.
"How did you know?!" Jinora whispered urgently.
Korra just gave her the young airbender her best impression of Tenzin, raised eyebrow and all.
"Ok ok...who else would I be talking about. I get it. So, how do you know?" Jinora asked again.
"Jinora, Kai has only been with us a few days now. What has you asking this?" Korra asked her.
"Well, I always thought that when I fell in love, it would be at first sight like with all of the books I've read. I even read one where they say that Avatar Aang and Grandma Katara fell in love the moment they met!" Jinora explained excitedly while Korra refrained from telling her how that wasn't actually the case after the stories Katara had told her.
"When I first met Kai, it felt like my stomach was doing flips and then he smiled at me and blood rushed to my head before I could even think. All the books I've read that talk about love describe stuff just like that. But I don't know if that means I'm in love or not. I really like spending time with him and he's really funny and all but...does that mean I'm in love?"
"Jinora, not everything we experience is like what you read about in books. Trust me, I know this" Korra explained.
"But, it is real isn't it? Love at first sight?" Jinora pleaded.
"I think so, yes. I know there are people who would say they fell in love at first sight. But I also don't think it happens that way for everyone. I think for some people, love is something that grows slowly between them. They might not even know it's happening until they wake up one day surprised to realize it was there all along."
"Is that how it was for you and Mako?" Jinora asked.
Korra was surprised at the question and was silent for a moment. "I'm-I'm sorry Korra! I didn't mean to bring up any bad memories!" Jinora backtracked, a panicked look on her face.
"No no it's alright Jinora, really. Mako and I...it definitely wasn't love at first sight. I loved him and he loved me, but it just wasn't enough" Korra smiled sadly.
"But why? I thought if you loved them that was all you needed to be with someone?"
"I think it takes a lot more than just love. It takes trust, faith, understanding, and a lot of patience. But I'm very happy to have him as my friend and I wouldn't trade that for anything. So how about for now, you just focus on getting to know Kai and being his friend. If you're meant to be, then you'll know it. Maybe not for a while, but you'll know. Ok?"
"Ok Korra, thank you for talking to me" Jinora smiled and headed towards the door.
"Anytime kiddo" said Korra.
"Is that how it was for you and Mako?" Jinora asked
Asami stilled at the question. She knew she shouldn't be eavesdropping but she had been headed back to her room across the hall from Korra's when she had overheard Jinora and Korra talking. She'd been amused at Jinora's description of how Kai made her feel. It was so very sweet and if Asami was honest with herself, it wasn't far from how Korra had been making her feel of late.
But Jinora's latest question had made Asami freeze where she stood, not even daring to breathe as she waited for Korra's answer.
"No no it's alright Jinora, really. Mako and I...it definitely wasn't love at first sight. I loved him and he loved me, but it just wasn't enough"
'Korra sounds so sad. She's probably still not quite over Mako,' Asami thought to herself sadly. She continued to listen to Korra's explanation of what she thought it took to be with someone and smiled. That was everything Korra deserved. Could Asami give her that?
Asami startled as she realized that Jinora was on her way out of the room and she rushed to hide in a small alcove so the girl wouldn't see her and realize that Asami had overheard their conversation. She didn't want to embarrass the younger girl.
As Asami stood hidden in the shadows of the alcove, she sighed softly and thought back to the other day when Korra had given her a riding lesson on Naga. She had had an amazing time. The feel of Korra against her back while Naga had sprinted across the plains, the Avatar's breath on her neck and her hands held loosely around Asami's waist (too loose if you asked her) had all been more than intoxicating. But then Korra had shouted to Asami as the older girl had been entering the airship.
"Um, I just wanted you to know, that wh-what you said earlier, about finding to someone to love you like Kuruk loved Ummi, well, I know it will happen for you someday"
Had Korra been telling her that she would find someone else? That it wasn't meant to be for them? Was she being silly for thinking that Korra would...or could...ever like Asami in that way? Or had she been trying to tell Asami something by saying 'someone' instead of a guy?
'I'm probably just overthinking the whole thing as always,' Asami thought to herself darkly. 'I need to stop worrying about it and just follow the same advice that Korra gave Jinora. Be her friend and see what happens'.
Asami remembered then what else Korra had told the young airbender.
"I think for some people, love is something that grows slowly between them. They might not even know it's happening until they wake up one day surprised to realize it was there all along".
Asami smiled at the words, wondering if that was her and Korra. Was it love that she felt for the beautiful Avatar? Could Korra feel the same?
Asami stepped out of the alcove and slowly walked towards her bedroom, sneaking a glance through the open door of Korra's room and spying the girl sprawled on her bed and staring at the ceiling thoughtfully. She seemed to sense that she was being watched because Korra suddenly looked over and caught Asami's eye who blushed slightly at being caught.
"Headed to bed for the night?" Korra asked.
"Yeah. Been a long day. You?" Asami asked.
"Yeah...yeah me too. Goodnight Asami" Korra smiled softly at the older girl.
"Goodnight Korra" Asami told her and stepped into her room closing the door softly behind her.
So….hi. I'm really REALLY sorry it's been so long since my last update. Combination of work kicking my butt, writer's block, and just general intense life happenings. I hope you enjoy this chapter. I tried to dive into writing a couple of the other characters more and I hope I did an ok job with their voice. Feel free to let me know what you think please.